HAMPTON, Va. (Jan. 26, 2025) … Despite a 16-point performance by Aisha Dabo, Hampton (5-14, 1-7) came up short against UNCW (10-10, 4-3) 66-50 in Coastal Athletic Association action.

The Seahawks got balanced scoring with four players in double figures including Ali Zelaya (15 points), Jania Hall (15), Taylor Henderson (10), and Kate Hollifield (10). UNCW outscored the Pirates in each quarter but led just 31-24 at halftime and 50-41 after three periods.

After a slow start in which the two teams missed a combined eight shots from the field, UNCW found the range to take a 6-0 lead with 6:41 to go in the opening quarter. After missing nine of its first 10 shots, Jasha Clinton's trey put Hampton on the board. Back-to-back three-pointers by CeCe Thomas tied the score 11-11 with 1:49 left. After Amyah Reaves converted two free throws to put the Pirates ahead 14-11, the Seahawks scored the final five points of the quarter to lead 16-14.

Hampton shot 26.7 percent and UNCW was 33.3 percent from the field on the opening period. Thomas had six points and Clinton added five to lead the Pirates while Zelaya and Hall each had five first-quarter points for the Hawks.

The two teams traded points in the early-going of the second period. Four consecutive UNCW free throws put the Seahawks ahead 28-20 late in the second quarter and UNCW outscored Hampton 15-10 to lead 31-24 at intermission.

Both teams struggled from the field with Hampton clicking on 31.3 percent and UNCW 28.6 percent of its shots from the field. The two teams combined to go 1-for-12 from three-point range in the period. UNCW's Hall finished with 10 first-half points while Hampton's Thomas had eight points and five boards.

UNCW clicked on six of its first eight shots in the third quarter --- all inside the paint --- to expand its lead to 45-34 with 4:21 to go. Dabo kept the Pirates int the game with a pair of free throws, a layup and a three-pointer at the end of the third period as Hampton closed to 50-41.

But UNCW scored the first eight points of the final period to up the lead 58-41 three minutes into the final period. A Dabo trey snapped the streak but the Seahawks inside game spelled the difference. Fourteen of UNCW's 17 two-point field goals were inside the paint.

The match-up was the final game of a four-game homestand for the Pirates. Hampton posted a 61-58 come-from-behind triumph over Towson in Hampton's on Friday.

The Pirates now travel to Greensboro, N.C., to take on longtime rival North Carolina A&T on Friday, Jan. 31 at 7:00 p.m.